Courtney Flatt
Stories
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Historic agreement seen as a harbinger to Snake River dam removal
After decades of courtroom drama, a document leak and years of negotiation, federal officials agreed with six Northwest tribes to restore salmon, build-up clean energy and begin studying how to replace services the Lower Snake River dams provide.
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Leaked documents on Snake River dams leads to congressional hearing
After leaked documents suggested the Biden administration could be making moves to help remove Washington’s four Lower Snake River dams – congressional Republicans said they needed answers.
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New study finds high mercury levels in Snake River smallmouth bass in Idaho, Oregon
People eating bass out of the Snake River should be wary: depending on where smallmouth bass are caught in Idaho and Oregon, the fish could have higher levels of mercury.
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NASA satellites could be a new tool to help estimate snowpack, manage water resources
Scientists in Washington recently used NASA satellites to learn more about snow in the mountains.
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Western gray squirrels now considered ‘endangered’ in Washington
It’s hard to know exactly how many Western gray squirrels are in Washington – but the state’s Department of Fish and Wildlife says it’s safe to say there aren’t many. Most are isolated in Okanogan and Klickitat counties and in the South Sound area.
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Volunteers helping sagebrush, wildflowers grow where fires burned
After wildfires, it can be hard for native plants to come back. That’s why volunteers are planting them and spreading seeds this fall in southeastern Washington, helping sagebrush and wildflowers take root again.
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Invasive mussels inching closer to the Columbia Basin, federal report says more could be done to sto
Fast-spreading invasive aquatic mussels are hitching rides on boats, kayaks and jet skis. So, people are working to keep them out of the Columbia River Basin, the only major river basin in the U.S. without an established quagga mussel population.
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Tribal leaders support bringing grizzly bears to the North Cascades
Federal leaders are considering bringing grizzly bears back to the North Cascades. Some Northwest tribes say doing that would restore harmony to areas where their ancestors lived.
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Cleaner snowpack could help slow climate change, provide more drinking water
Researchers in the Northwest are studying dirty snow – and how cleaner snow could someday help with water resources around the world.
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Tribal members gather to demand the federal government uphold treaty obligations, protect salmon
For Northwest tribes, removing the four lower Snake River dams means more than just saving salmon, more than just saving the orcas that rely on salmon for food. More than 15 tribes joined together this week in Tulalip, Wash., to demand the federal government uphold their treaty obligations.